MGP 2013 statement from DED, here we go...

[steve-e]

STATEMENT ISSUED BY DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND MANX MOTOR CYCLE CLUB

Following discussions between the Manx Motor Cycle Club and the Department of Economic Development regarding the future direction of the Manx Grand Prix Festival, a provisional proposal and schedule has been agreed for 2013.

The newly developed Festival will retain elements of the existing Manx Grand Prix Races, while also leveraging the TT brand in a new ‘Classic TT’, which will form part of a three-day classic meeting.

The Festival will consist of the ‘Classic TT Races’, ‘The Manx Grand Prix Races’, the ‘Manx Classic’ and ‘Manx Two Day’ Trials and the ‘VMCC Manx Rally’, which will include the Festival of Jurby. The festival will remain as a two-week event including a week of practice and qualifying. A title for the Festival will be confirmed shortly.

Four Classic TT Races will now take over the traditional middle weekend of racing and August Bank Holiday Monday, which will also feature the VMCC’s popular Festival of Jurby meeting on the Sunday, with Manx Grand Prix races scheduled to run on the following Wednesday and Friday.



The Department of Economic Development will promote the Classic TT and will contract the Manx Motor Cycle Club to deliver the races. Regulations for these races will be confirmed shortly. The Manx Motor Cycle Club will assume responsibility for the role of promoter and organiser of the Manx Grand Prix races, with financial assistance being provided by the Department.



Hon John Shimmin, MHK, Minister, Department of Economic Development commented:

‘We are very pleased to announce progress with our ongoing discussions with the Manx Motor Cycle Club on the future direction of the event. We are confident that we have a clearly segmented and focused festival that can generate additional visitors to the Island and the team will look to further develop the Classic TT and Festival.’



Harvey Garton, Chairman, Manx Motor Cycle Club commented:

‘We have a clear way forward for the Manx Grand Prix Races as part of the Festival and will be working closely with the Department of Economic Development to build and grow the event. We are now focusing all of our efforts on delivering a successful 2012 event.’

[Helen Gibson]

That's more like it... let's see how it goes...

[Eddy Wright]

Yes I agree with Helen. Let's see how it goes.

[Simon Smith]

Sidecars?

[Helen Gibson]

There's never been sidecars at the MGP. We struggle to get a good number at the TT, so twice a year would kill me! The weekend classic TT event? Can't really see classic sidecars making a full race on the TT Course. the Pre-TT is best for that, I think.

[Eddy Wright]

We would need a minimum of seventy five classics to run on the TT course. Two laps would be enough.

I do think though the pre TT at Billown caters well enough for the Classics.

[Toby]

There were 74 outfits at the recent Chimay Classic meeting

[Helen Gibson]

That's fantastic.
However, they might not be so keen on a couple of 37 3/4 mile laps over a mountain.

[kface]

In Belgium there's not any of the hassle, like proving how many times you've raced in a season and paying for a licence to race on the circuit. The other thing is they want you to be there racing and will do all they can to get you out racing. Perhaps that's something to do with that many outfits being there.

[Eddy Wright]

Got to agree with Tim on that one.